Best Substrate to Reduce Smell

[Shinopa T]

I'm still a newbie in ball pythons and before I find a substrate when I purchase my first snake, what substrate do you like to use to reduce any bad smells if there are any? I know that so long as you keep their cage clean and free of wastes there shouldn't be an issue, but as an added measure.
Does coconut husk-base work well for that?
What type do you use that works well?

[Eric Alan]

Cypress mulch or aspen shavings work well. However, the key is exactly what you said - keeping it clean and free of waste. Choose a substrate that's going to be easiest for you to maintain. For me, that's Repti-Zorb cage liners (basically super absorbant paper towels).

[The Golem]

Coconut husk has its own distinctive smell when fresh out of the pack and moistened so probably not a great choice if you're trying to minimize odours.

[Shinopa T]

I've heard cypress attracts mites- and I don't want that.

[vangarret2000]

I've heard cypress attracts mites- and I don't want that.

It can't attract snake mites. If the snake has mites it came with it. It won't just develop them at any given time. I am not sure if it would attract other mites like wood mites but I have never heard of it doing that.

Like you already said when you get waste you clean it up that day. The substrate won't be an issue. Not cleaning it is when you will get bad smells. If you dot plan in cleaning it when it happens you shouldn't be getting a snake. Leaving waste on a snakes tank could cause it to get scale rot if it is using the dirty areas.

For a substrate lots of people just use paper towel because it is so easy to clean. Just remove what is dirty. Clean with a little vinegar water and add more paper towel. The blue shop towels work great because they are more absorbent then regular paper towels.

[Zincubus]

Orchid bark for me everytime ..... Unless you have a dark coloured snake then I'd suggest beech clippings for the contrast.

[Shinopa T]

Don't assume I won't clean my tanks, because I do and will. xD
I have orchid bark here at home, but is it hard to identify where the waste is with it being so dark?

[Zincubus]

Orchid bark for me everytime ..... Unless you have a dark coloured snake then I'd suggest beech clippings for the contrast.

No it's easy , it clumps up well and is very absorbent ( I think) - I usually follow my nose to the offending viv and then have a good look around with a torch if needs be.

[ladywhipple02]

I've heard cypress attracts mites- and I don't want that.

Cypress won't attract mites. I use cypress because it gets very dry during the winter time and cypress helps hold in humidity (it's also great for burrowing for my tegu).

People experience cypress when they put it in the cage right out of the mulch bag - a bag that may or may not have been sitting around outside for months. Bugs naturally make their homes in places like that. You just need to rinse it down well - I rinse mine and store it in a large plastic Rubbermaid for easy access.

[Shinopa T]

I've seen a lot of good reviews for the coconut by kritters krumble. Anyone use that?